OWENSBORO, Ky. – Josh Galvan crushed his sixth home run of the season on Tuesday, but it wasn't enough as the Kentucky Wesleyan College baseball team dropped a 7-3 decision in a non-conference matchup against the University of Southern Indiana.
The Screaming Eagles held a 3-0 lead after the first three innings after a two-run home run in the first and a one-run single in the third.
With one on and two outs in bottom of the third, Galvan hit a no-doubter to straight away center to put the Panthers on the board. Galvan is now tied for the team-lead in home runs at six alongside Andrew Kirkland and Adam Brown.
Southern Indiana tacked on one run in the top of the fifth to take a two-run lead but Kentucky Wesleyan responded with one in the bottom of the frame. Lane Kennemore led off the inning reaching on a fielding error by the shortstop. Cody Bridges laid down a sacrifice bunt, and heads up base running from Kennemore allowed him to reach third as no one was covering third base. Seth Campbell drove in Kennemore with a single up the middle to make it a one-run game.
In the top of the sixth, the Eagles pulled away, scoring three runs off of three hits and one error to take a 7-3 lead. Southern Indiana threatened in the top of the eighth, loading the bases with two outs but a line out would end the inning. The Panthers were unable to get a rally started, only tabbing one hit in the final three innings.
Nate Verst suffered his second loss of the season, striking out two and allowing four runs off of eight hits in 5.0 innings. Spencer Jackson allowed three runs off of two hits in 0.1 innings. Alex Franzen and Ryan Bailey held the Eagles scoreless in the final 3.2 innings with Franzen going 2.1 innings with no runs and three hits while Bailey closed out the final 1.1 innings with no runs and no hits.
Kirkland was the lone Panther to record multiple hits on the day, going two-for-four at the plate. Campbell, Galvan, Kennemore and Joseph Burke each tabbed one hit a piece. Galvan led Kentucky Welseyan with two runs driven in while Campbell drove in one.
The Panthers remain home this weekend and return to conference play, hosting Alderson Broaddus University with a pair of doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday, both set for 12 pm CT.
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